Graduates of MSFS find that the curriculum and faculty prepare them not for a specific job—but rather, for evolving careers that often span all three international sectors: public, private and non-profit.

The Latest from MSFS

As Georgetown welcomes Ambassador Nancy McEldowney, new director of the MSFS program, to the Hilltop, she may find herself in need of a lunch recommendation, or parking tips. McEldowney needs no introduction, however, to academic institution administration or the world of international relations, as she brings practiced and valuable perspective from her unique career of leadership and service in the U.S. government – particularly in the training and education of international policy professionals.

After 10 weeks living in Salcedo, the capital of the rural Hermanas Mirabal province of the Dominican Republic, I still sometimes find myself feeling as if I am caught in a time warp. Way back in 2014, just a few months out of college, I moved here for a year to teach biology at the Liceo Científico, the country’s first STEM-focused public magnet school for high-talent low-income students. Though I soon learned a career in education was not what I was looking for long-term, I was inspired by the school’s mission of cultivating future leaders to lead the province and the country in its ongoing economic development. So when I was considering possible options for my summer abroad through the MSFS program, my mind immediately went to the Oficina Técnica Provincial, the local NGO that coordinates the implementation of the provincial development plan of which the Liceo Científico is a part.

On June 19, I participated in the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue in Maui, Hawaii as one of the members of the Young Leaders Program. The Young Leaders Program is an initiative facilitated by The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Pacific Forum, training young professionals in international policy affairs at an early juncture in their careers. Fortunately, I was selected as one of them and had the opportunity to attend the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue.

As we welcome Ambassador Nancy McEldowney as Director of the Master of Science in Foreign Service program on July 1, it is time to give thanks to Tony Arend, and wish him well in his endeavors as Senior Associate Dean of Graduate and Faculty Affairs in the School of Foreign Service.

Ambassador McEldowney has had a distinguished career as a leader in foreign affairs training, a senior policy advisor and a high profile diplomat. Most recently, she served as the Director of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), the premier foreign affairs training provider for the U.S. Government.

This year, our program has 10 Japanese students enrolled in the program, totaling 5% of the entire student body. That’s more representation than any other foreign country in our program. We asked our Japanese students to reflect on their time at Georgetown, the significance of the festival to their U.S. experience, and the importance of community.

“From Japan to Armenia, International Night allowed all students of the Master of Science in Foreign Service to discover other cultures and to get a taste of them. Seeing everyone interact with all the performances in such a genuine way really shows that we're all not so different after all.” Aptly put by MSFS student Joelle El Sawalhi, International Night on March 18 was a huge success. A night designed to give MSFS students a break from their academic and professional studies, this event strives to share and showcase the incredibly diverse backgrounds and talents of the current students. MSFSers performed all sorts of acts, including traditional dance, singing, and even comedy bits. We asked a few performers to share their experience at this year’s International Night.

Rui Matsukawa (MSFS’97) was elected to the Japanese House of Councillors in 2016. A Liberal Democrat Party member, she represents the Osaka prefecture in the upper house of the National Diet of Japan. Matsukawa’s interest in pursuing a career in diplomacy and public service was sparked by the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989, a seismic shift of the international stage. At the time, Matsukawa was in her first year at Tokyo University.

Tish King, MSFS ’93, came to Georgetown with a passion for international affairs and a desire to gain experience in the field of communications. Years later, she reflects on her journey and how MSFS guided her to where she is today.

It is with great excitement that the Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) program announces a new partnership with the Open Society Foundations (OSF) to offer Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA) scholarships to students from developing countries. This partnership will contribute to our institutions’ common mission of preparing underrepresented individuals to advance positive social change in their home countries.

Student Spotlight

"With the festive season fast approaching, Georgetown University (GU) Orchestra is about to kick off its annual concert at Gaston Hall on November 23rd. Deborah Ou-Yang (MSFS ’15), last year’s first-chair cellist, is joining the performance as the first and only student from MSFS."